Martin O’Malley to propose expanding early voting in Maryland

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) plans on Friday to propose expanding early voting days in Maryland and, for the first time, allowing residents to register on the same day that they cast ballots — moves certain to rankle Republicans.

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Steven Carbo, state advocacy director for Demos, a national group that seeks to expand voter participation, said fraud has not been much of an issue in same-day registration states that have adequate safeguards in place. Those include requiring voters to take an oath to confirm their identity, with stiff penalties for those who lie.

Although same-day registration has become more popular in recent years, a handful of states — including Maine, Minnesota and Wisconsin — have allowed it since the 1970s.